CHAPTER A: THE THORNWARD TRADERS

While Edward, Green Arrow, Firiona and Lina were pursuing their own agendas, back in the Flanaess, a party gathered at the town docks in the city of Thornward, waiting to embark on the trading mission they had each been hired to escort and support.  A merchant vessel, suitable for river commerce, was tied up alongside.  Four sailors had already taken their places aboard the vessel.  A prosperous-looking merchant stood next to the ship’s captain and looked the party over.

A young man of about twenty years stood nearby, eager to embark.  He had brown hair and blue eyes, and was heavily armed with a lance, javelins and a longsword at his side.  He wore a chain shirt and bore a heavy wooden shield.  He also wore a symbol of Hieroneous.  Cassius was his name: a young knight errant, traveling, looking for a new cause to fight for.  He was speaking to the others gathered at the dock, but said little more about himself or what had set him to wandering.  The captain and the merchant knew more, but didn’t say anything that Cassius himself didn’t mention.

Next to him was a cloaked elven wizard.  Relatively young at the age of 127.  He was explaining to the knight that he had trained in a school specializing in illusion magic.  As he did so, he gradually faded away–only to reappear behind the other new recruits, having previously cast silent image.  “Enox, at your service!” he said, bowing.  The captain and the merchant were amused.

A tall, muscular, grey-skinned half-orc, with a heavily scarred face, leaned against the port rail of the merchant vessel.  A fighter type, bearing a very large sword on his back, as well as a shortbow.  His hair was buzz-cut, and he wore a trim beard.  He called himself Groose. 

Nearby lurked a short fellow–a halfling, in fact–who could barely look over the rail of the ship.  His name was Tobi, he had green eyes and brown hair, and he was armed with a short sword. 

The last recruit was a lovely young half-elf cleric of Pelor by the name of Arya.  She had sharp green eyes and long, ebony-black hair.

The captain made his way to a gangplank, along with the merchant, and stood mid-way to address the recruits.  “Good morning,” he began.  “I’m Captain Elwood.  We’ve already met.”  He indicated the merchant beside him on the gangplank.  “This is Master Trader Thurl, the owner of this vessel.”  Thurl nodded to the recruits.

Elwood continued.  “You have all been selected to join the crew of the Desperate Venture, which you will soon board.  The ship will embark on a trading mission down the Fals River to the city of Mitrik, in Veluna, then will return up-river all the way to Darksea,” the captain explained.  The recruits’ interest was aroused by the mention of the still somewhat mysterious city of Darksea.  “You will provide security to Master Thurl and the rest of the mission.  You will be paid two gold pieces per day.  If the mission turns a profit, you will also receive a bonus.” The recruits welcomed this last notification in particular.

“You will be given various duties as needed to assist in the operation of this vessel,” Elwood added.  “So you will learn a thing or two about the sailor’s life.”

“Sounds good!” exclaimed Tobi.  “When do we board?”

“Right now,” replied Captain Elwood.  With that, the five new recruits hopped up the gangplank and took their places aboard the Desperate Venture.

Before casting off, the captain provided the ship’s crew, now including the five new escorts, with information on current conditions along their route.  “Things are tense these days,” he began.  “You’ve probably heard that Thornward is about to be returned to the full control of Bissel.”  The party nodded, and one of the sailors shouted, “About time!”

“To be sure,” Elwood agreed.  “But not everyone is happy about the settlement.  Certain factions in Ket in particular.”  He went on to explain that the current Ketite ruler, Beygraf Arpad II, had reached the agreement in exchange for support from Veluna, Furyondy and Gran March, as well as Bissel, against the clergy who had previously attempted to oust him.  “Politicians!” snorted another sailor.  “To the Abyss with the lot of ‘em!”  The sailor’s sentiment was shared by most of the crew, as well as by Master Thurl, who enthusiastically agreed.

“One last thing,” Captain Elwood added.  “There’ve been reports of river pirates and other hostiles all along the upper Fals.  That’s the main reason you new recruits are here.  So be aware!”

And with that, the captain ordered the sailors to prepare to cast off.  The hawsers securing the ship to the dock were pulled in, the sails were unfurled, and the crew pushed off from the dock and entered into the Fals River.